THE UST Golden Booters’ three-game winning streak was halted after settling for a scoreless draw with the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 88 men’s football tournament on Sunday, Nov. 16, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch.
The league will pause for two months as the country will host two major sporting events: the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup beginning Nov. 21 and the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand scheduled from Dec. 9 to 20.
UST remained in third place with 15 points on a 4-3-2 win-loss-draw record, while Adamson stayed at the sixth spot with a 1-3-6 standing.
Striker Trez Mariñas, riding a three-match scoring streak, nearly broke the deadlock in the 44th minute when he lifted a deft chip inside the box, but the ball landed straight into Adamson keeper Jed Lauron’s gloves.
Newly subbed-in striker Chris Valderama nearly punished Adamson on the counter in the 69th minute but his effort sailed wide.
Both squads ramped up the pressure in the final 20 minutes, with fullback Kirby Pepito carving out a real chance on the right flank before overcooking in the 72nd minute.
Third-year centerback Jarred Regis was stretchered off the pitch in the 86th minute after suffering a scary collision with Adamson goalkeeper Shane Salarde.
Both sides still could not be separated as the minutes ticked away in stoppage time.
The Golden Booters will next face fourth-seed Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 18, at the same venue. F
